Lot 481: James Eustis

Lot 481: Handsome Confederate officer's brown leather haversack identified to Major James B. Eustis, measuring 12 x 10, featuring a tooled pinwheel design pattern on the front. Interior is lined with embroidered blue and white striped cotton and is identified in period ink inside the flap, "Major Eustis, A. A. Gen'l, Gen'l J. E. Johnston's Staff." The original flap closure strap with original iron buckle remains intact, with the longer shoulder strap present but detached. In very good condition, with significant rubbing to back and bottom from extensive use, aforementioned detached main strap, and some flaking to leather. Accompanied by a packet of research material about Brown including copies of his military records. Provenance: The Horse Soldier.
Eustis graduated from Harvard Law in 1854 and began practicing in New Orleans after being admitted to the Louisiana bar in 1856. He joined the Confederate Army in 1861, serving under McGruder, Johnston, Hood, and Beauregard throughout the war. In postwar years he served in state government and was on the committee sent to Washington to confer with President Andrew Johnson on Louisiana affairs before Reconstruction. He was later elected to the United States Senate, serving as senator from 1876 to 1879. A superb identified piece of Confederate equipment from a significant Southerner.
RR Auction's Fine Autographs & Artifacts
Friday, 23rd October 2015
Estimate: $4000-6000